As a biostatistician and Senior Investigator, Dr. William Vollmer conducts research in several areas, including the non-pharmacologic control of blood pressure and weight and approaches to reducing dental caries.

Another longtime research interest is the epidemiology and management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Much of this work is done in collaboration with other sites, and Dr. Vollmer has directed or helped to direct a number of data coordinating centers as part of these efforts. In this role, he helps steer multi-site trials and works collaboratively with other investigators to resolve complex protocol-related issues.

Recently, he conducted two large clinical trials that combined electronic medical records and automated phone calls to help patients get needed medication refills at the right time. The PEANUT study promoted medication adherence among patients with asthma; the PATIENT study promoted adherence among patients with cardiovascular disease. He also recently completed two studies that examined ways to reduce cavities, involving 1,750 patients in seven clinical centers nationwide.

Dr. Vollmer has directed the data coordinating centers for several large multi-center trials funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). This research explored the impact of dietary patterns, sodium reduction, and multifactor lifestyle interventions on blood pressure and weight.

Dr. Vollmer received his PhD in biostatistics from the University of Washington. He is an active participant in the Behavioral Sciences Assembly of the American Thoracic Society and an associate fellow of the American Heart Association's Council on Epidemiology. He has been an invited speaker at a number of national and international scientific conferences, and for many years has traveled the world teaching clinicians how to conduct basic pulmonary epidemiology.